Ice Hockey Federation of Russia and the Football Union of Russia approved plans for the Bolshoi Ice Palace and the Sochi Olympic Stadium, respectively. They will be located in the Sochi 2014 Olympic Park, home to a further three sports venues.
The Botta Management Group AG, responsible for the architectural design of the two venues, received approval at a meeting in Moscow to move forward with the planning process. Thirty-two experts from the Botta Group have worked since 2006 to develop the form-conscious and elegant designs. Once completed, these two iconic structures will become Sochi landmarks and integral components of the unique Games legacy.
The Sochi Olympic Stadium, a proposed site for opening and closing ceremonies at the 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, will be transformed into a football stadium for the Russian National Football Team following the Games in 2014. The Bolshoi Ice Palace will be transformed into a multi-purpose sports, concert and entertainment centre.
Charles Botta, President and CEO of Botta Management Group AG, said, “we are thrilled to have the approval today and continue the planning process. Our goal is to design facilities that will bring the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi to life. These venues will contribute to the unforgettable Games experience before being inscribed into the living history of the city through their continued use in the future.”
The Sochi Olympic Stadium design was inspired by Russia’s famous Faberge Egg and it will have 40,000 seats and 60 luxury suites. The Bolshoi Ice Palace contains both ice hockey competition arenas and will have 12,000 seats, 34 luxury suites.
